Des Moines, Iowa (RI) – A pitch competition — like what you see on the “Shark Tank” TV show — is scheduled in Des Moines Wednesday — and it will feature start-up companies from Argentina, India and Nigeria.
World Food Prize Foundation CEO Tom Vilsack says the foundation is putting up $65,000 in prize money.
Executives from each of the three companies will make their pitches to a panel of judges, who will award $50,000 dollars for first prize, $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third prize. The event will be held in downtown Des Moines as part of the annual World Food Prize Dialogue that starts Monday.
Vilsack says the three companies have the potential for worldwide impact. APOLO Biotech in Argentina uses RNA technology to produce an alternative to traditional pesticides. Capsber Agriscience in India is already working with over 150,000 small-scale farming operations to use microbes that are native to the soil rather than fertilizers to boost crop yields.
The third business — Vet Konect in Nigeria — has created a digital platform that has connected tens of thousands of farmers in eight countries to information about raising livestock. Tickets are required to attend the pitch competition and can be purchased on the World Food Prize website.
